Secretary of State John Kerry delivers remarks at the American Jewish Committee Global Forum in Washington, DC on June 3, 2013.

Here are some choice paragraphs that show this Secretary of State has done his homework, knows the history of the recent years of the “peace process” and is not deterred by facts. He has answers for everything, and, like everyone else in the Obama Administration, bright lads every last one of them, knows everything but understands nothing. It’s a Kerry masterpiece of pathos mixed with unveiled threats. He really makes you wish Hillary never left:

And as we look ahead, I believe – and I think you will agree, I believe you will agree – that the best way to truly ensure Israel’s security today and for future generations is by ending once and for all the conflict with the Palestinians, by summoning the courage to achieve peace, and by reaching a negotiated resolution that results in two states for two peoples, each able to fulfill their legitimate national aspirations in a homeland of their own. We are all committed to that. (Applause.)

Now, some are wary because of Israel’s experience following the withdrawal of Gaza and Lebanon. You have no idea how many times I hear people say, “We withdrew from Lebanon, we withdrew from Gaza, and what did we get? We got rockets.” Well, folks, it’s worth remembering these withdrawals were unilateral. They were not part of a negotiated peace treaty that included strong guarantees for Israel’s security, and they certainly weren’t part of a peace agreement that agrees to be a demilitarized state or entity.

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I understand that many of you are asking, “Ma Nishtana?” (Laughter.) “What makes this different from every other time?”

Well, the difference is that what happens in the coming days will actually dictate what happens in the coming decades. We’re running out of time. We’re running out of possibilities. And let’s be clear: If we do not succeed now – and I know I’m raising those stakes – but if we do not succeed now, we may not get another chance. So we can’t let the disappointments of the past hold the future prisoner. We can’t let the absence of peace become a self-fulfilling prophesy. The absence of peace is perpetual conflict.

So I want to ask you this: Whenever you think about this challenge and how hard it is, think about what will happen if it doesn’t work. We will find ourselves in a negative spiral of responses and counter-responses that could literally slam the door on a two-state solution, having already agreed, I think, that there isn’t a one-state one. And the insidious campaign to de-legitimize Israel will only gain steam. Israel will be left to choose between being a Jewish state or a democratic state, but it will not be able to fulfill the founders’ visions of being both at once.

And the consequences of failure do not live only in the distant future. This is not some far-off concern, my friends. There are also some very real short-term consequences to consider because the status quo is simply not sustainable. (Applause.)

Secretary of State John Kerry speaks with Israeli Justice Minister Tzipi Livni and American Jewish Committee officials at the American Jewish Committee Global Forum in Washington, DC on June 3, 2013.

Now the full text of the speech, it’s quite entertaining:

Grand Hyatt Hotel, Washington, DC, June 3, 2013

Thank you. Thank you very, very much. Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you all. Thank you for a wonderful, warm welcome here at AJC. And thank you, Bob, for that wonderful introduction. Thank you for your more than four decades of extraordinary service to the AJC, including the last three years as president.

I understand that in order to meet my schedule, because I’m rushing up to New York to celebrate Henry Kissinger’s 90th birthday – (applause) – remarkable. So, as a result of that I understand that the tribute to Bob had to be removed until after my remarks in order to accommodate my schedule. I truly appreciate that. And Bob, I hope that you will follow in the great tradition of presidents on their last day in office and grant me your pardon. (Laughter.) Thank you.

Yori Yanover has been a working journalist since age 17, before he enlisted and worked for Ba'Machane Nachal. Since then he has worked for Israel Shelanu, the US supplement of Yedioth, JCN18.com, USAJewish.com, Lubavitch News Service, Arutz 7 (as DJ on the high seas), and the Grand Street News. He has published Dancing and Crying, a colorful and intimate portrait of the last two years in the life of the late Lubavitch Rebbe, (in Hebrew), and
two fun books in English: The Cabalist's Daughter: A Novel of Practical Messianic Redemption, and How Would God REALLY Vote.

1 COMMENT

Is there ever a discussion about the Palestinians changing their educational policies of teaching their children not to hate? Until that happens, the realities of achieving peace is doubtful, at best. Trying to make peace with people that want you dead doesn't bode well for the future. There are many Arabs that want peace. Let them get together and challenge their leaders to make some effective changes in how they are governing. Is self examination only something that is incumbent upon Israel?